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5 things to know in San Antonio food right now: Luxurious restaurant lands in unexpected location

The Luxury San Antonio restaurant milanesa food picnic table

The Luxury will soon take flight in a second location.

Editor's note: We get it. It can be difficult to keep up with the fast pace of San Antonio’s restaurant and bar scene. We have you covered with our regular roundup of essential food news.

Openings and closings

Downtown oasis The Luxury will soon land in an unexpected second location. A rep from San Antonio International Airport operator Paradies Lagardère confirms it is working with renowned chef Andrew Weissman on a new outpost to be completed in summer 2020. There’s no word yet on the menu and a request for further information from the restaurant was not returned at press time.

Speaking of new locations, it appears that Asian favorite Hon Machi Korean BBQ has a new spot in the works. According to a project filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the restaurant will be at the strip center at 10222 Huebner Rd. The finish date is listed as June 2020.

New nightlife concept Boxcar Bar officially rolled into 125 Lamar St., Ste. 103 on November 30. Owner Tony Coss, who also operates La Roca Cantina and Green Lantern, tells CultureMap that the concept serves a mixture of house and classic cocktails made with high quality spirits and fresh ingredients. The watering hole also offers a variety of infused spirits like coconut rum, mango tequila, and strawberry vodka with weekends kicked up with sets from a live DJ.

Other news and notes

Dorcol Distilling + Brewing Co.’s 5th Annual Kinsman Brandy Alexander Tour kicked off December 2. Each year, the brand asks local bars and restaurants to create innovative versions of the classic dessert cocktail to serve all month long. This year, the company attracted a cross section of some of the Alamo City’s brightest concepts, including Biga on the Banks, Bohanan’s Prime Steaks and Seafood, Bar 1919, Francis Bogside, The Hoppy Monk, Jet-Setter, Liberty Bar, Maverick Texas Brasserie, The Modernist, Ocho, Pastiche, Rosella at the Rand, Still Golden Social House, and Dorcol's tasting room.

The San Antonio Coffee Festival is returning January 4 to perk up locals after the long holiday season. Held at La Villita Historic Arts Village, the daytime event offers samples of more than 80 coffees , live music, and educational opportunities. Tickets are on sale now starting at $8.

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Green Light

Healthy-casual Dallas restaurant makes San Antonio debut on Broadway

Bellagreen/Instagram

Bellagreen is now in San Antonio for the first time.

A fast-casual restaurant from Dallas called Bellagreen has sprouted in San Antonio, as of Tuesday, November 12.

The mini-chain's first San Antonio location is at 1900 Broadway St., Ste. 112, and it's giving out a couple of freebies to get things going on opening day. Customers on Tuesday will all get a free craft soda or tea with their meal. Active military and veterans will also receive 15 percent off, but that's a daily policy throughout the year.

Bellagreen is known for its healthy image, which comes from scratch-made dishes and a generally light menu featuring lots of salads, a strong veggie presence, and a protein lean toward poultry and fish. Rotating seasonal menus keep things fresh.

“The decision to open Bella here was easy," said San Antonio location co-investors Sameer Mumtaz and Mark Huffstutler in a press release. Mumtaz continued, "San Antonio shares our values of family and good, wholesome, quality food.”

With nine locations across Texas, much of its popularity also comes from an ease of catering to different diets and preferences, from brunch (with $10 mimosa carafes) through dinner. Many meals are customizable and can accommodate gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, high-protein, and other needs.

“We’ve wanted to bring Bellagreen to Central Texas for years and finally found the perfect spot," said Huffstutler. "Downtown residents, employees and tourists have a wonderful new dining option, and we can immerse ourselves in San Antonio’s vibrant culture.”

The roughly 150-seat restaurant with a patio is located in a popular area for dining, a few blocks from the Pearl neighborhood and next to Nineteen Hyaku (for a very different kind of meal).

"We believe in living a balanced life, and our menu reflects that with delicious and abundant options,” said general Cristian Garcia in the release. “With made-for-you dishes, quick and friendly service and charitable ties, our guests can feel good about their dining choice.”

While the fall menu is in service, those charitable ties lead to Bexar Branches Alliance, an urban forestry nonprofit that will receive a portion of profits from those seasonal items. So far, according to the release, Bellagreen has donated more than 45,000 seedlings to the Texas Trees Foundation and Trees for Houston, the city where most of its locations are, even though it's based in Dallas.

Bellagreen is open weekdays from 11 am to 10 pm, and weekends from 10 am to 10 pm.